What Must I Do to Be Saved?” J. C. Ryle (1800s) Full Public-Domain Sermon Text Text: Acts 16:30 — “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Introduction This is the most important question that a human being can ask.
It concerns not the body but the soul. Not time but eternity. Not this world but the world to come. Millions are asking today: “What must I do to succeed?” “What must I do to be rich?” “What must I do to please men?
” But the jailer at Philippi asked the wisest question: “What must I do to be saved?” Let us consider: The question itself. The answer given. I. The Question - “What Must I Do to Be Saved?” 1. It implies a belief in danger.
The jailer felt he was a sinner. He felt he was lost. He felt the wrath of God was upon him. No man will ask this question until he feels his need. 2. It implies a desire for deliverance. The jailer did not say: “What must I do to be learned?
” “What must I do to be comfortable? ”He said: “What must I do to be saved? ” This is the beginning of true religion. 3. It implies a willingness to do God’s will. He was ready to be taught. Ready to obey.
Ready to follow Christ. II. The Answer, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved. ” Here is the whole gospel in one sentence. 1. Believe. Not work, merit, pay, toil. But believe . Not believe in self.
Not believe in the church. Not believe in ministers. But : 2. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Believe: that He is the Son of God, that He died for sinners, that He rose again, that He is willing to save, that He can save, that He will save you.
3. And thou shalt be saved. Not “may be saved.” Not “shall perhaps be saved.” But: “Thou shalt be saved. ” Salvation is certain to all who believe. III. What It Is to Believe Many mistake this. To believe is: to trust Christ, to rely on Christ, to lean your whole weight on Christ, to commit your soul to Christ.
It is: coming to Him, receiving Him, following Him, resting in Him, looking to Him. To believe is not: mere head knowledge, mere assent to facts, mere feeling, mere profession. It is faith of the heart.
IV. Why Faith Saves Because: 1. Faith brings us to Christ. Christ saves, faith only takes us to Him. 2. Faith gives Christ His rightful honor. It says: “You are all. I am nothing.” 3. Faith unites us to Christ.
We become one with Him. 4. Faith receives Christ's righteousness. He is made our: wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption. V. The Simplicity of Salvation 1. It is simple. So simple a child can understand it.
2. It is free. No money needed. No price required. 3. It is immediate. The jailer was saved at once. 4. It is universal. “For you and your house.” Christ is willing to save all. VI. The Danger of Unbelief If you do not believe: you perish, you remain under wrath, you are condemned already, you refuse the medicine, you refuse the Savior, you refuse heaven.
Unbelief is the great sin that shuts men out of life. VII. Exhortation 1. Ask the question sincerely. “What must I do to be saved?” 2. Hear the answer gratefully. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” 3.
Act upon the answer immediately. Believe now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. A dying world, an open grave, a coming judgment, all cry out: Believe and be saved. Conclusion Let no one rest short of salvation.
The jailer believed and rejoiced. You may believe and be at peace. Come to Christ. Trust Christ. Cling to Christ. Then you will know the meaning of: “Thou shalt be saved.” Amen.